Public Works and Infrastructure Committee Meeting - September 10, 2026

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee met on September 10, 2026, to discuss industrial pretreatment and sewer capacity for large industrial users, particularly data centers, and to consider several consent agenda items. The meeting featured presentations from the Department of Watershed Management on regulatory compliance, water supply modeling, and sewer capacity under the consent decree. Commissioners asked questions about enforcement, monitoring frequency, job impacts, and opportunities for on-site water reuse.

Consent Calendar

• 2026-1287: Minutes of the August 18, 2026 Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting (all districts). Approved unanimously.
• 2026-1298: Minutes of the August 24, 2026 special called Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting (all districts). Approved unanimously.

Discussion: Industrial Pretreatment and Sewer Capacity for Large Industrial Users

The committee heard a multi-part presentation on how DeKalb County regulates non-domestic discharges and manages sewer capacity for large users, including data centers.

Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP)

• The IPP is federally and state mandated. DeKalb County is the control authority over all industries discharging to its sewer system.
• Significant industrial users (SIUs) are defined by EPA categories (e.g., metal, textile, pharmaceutical) or non-categorical users discharging >25,000 gallons per day or with organic loading >5% of plant capacity.
• Approximately 69–70 IPP permits are active countywide.
• Enforcement includes notice of violation, corrective action plan (15-day response), and ultimately discontinuation of service for chronic non-compliance.
• The county conducts annual inspections; unannounced visits are possible except at secured facilities like the CDC.
• Commissioner Terry suggested enhanced monitoring (e.g., quarterly checks) and on-site treatment/reuse for large users to reduce sewer loading. Director Wells noted that technology allows flexibility and that on-site reuse (gray water) is a beneficial approach.
• Commissioner Davis Johnson expressed concern about job displacement from data centers and AI, while Commissioner Terry noted that water and sewer jobs could be affected if users build their own treatment plants.

Water Supply Review

• Kerry Williams, Deputy of Engineering, explained that the county uses a calibrated hydraulic model to assess water system pressure (minimum 40 PSI for fire flow).
• Large developments, including data centers, are modeled to determine impact. If the model shows pressure drop, the developer must fund system upgrades.
• New infrastructure is paid for by the developer; a one-year warranty bond is required.
• Gray water systems (e.g., Emory Water Hub) can be modeled and reduce demand on the drinking water system.

Sewer Capacity Assurance Program (CAP)

• Director Houser presented the consent decree-required CAP. The program has seven hydraulic models for different sewer sheds.
• If a user’s flow exceeds 50% of the pipe’s capacity, the pipe must be upsized by the developer.
• If the hydraulic model fails (flow depth within 2 feet of manhole top), capacity credits must be generated through INI removal. The board has approved several capacity agreements.
• Large users are defined as 10,000–40,000 gallons per day, varying by sewer shed.
• To date, 19 miles of sewer pipes have been rehabilitated jointly with developers.
• Additional requirements in capacity-limited areas include low-flow fixtures, no fats/oil/grease, caps on cleanouts, and maintenance of private sewer lines.
• A one-year surety bond is required for infrastructure; discussion occurred about possibly extending to two years for large users.
• Commissioner Terry requested that the committee work with the law department on legislation requiring private sewer lateral inspection and repair upon property sale to reduce infiltration/inflow (currently 50% of volume).

Key Outcomes

• 2026-0949: Substitute approved for Michelle Obama Trail Extension design services (Kimley Horn and Associates, $4,402,022, with $3.6M in federal funds). Typographical corrections noted.
• 2026-1165: Substitute approved for asphalt concrete pavement repair contract (ANS Paving and AutoCode Development, $23,850,000 over 3 years, countywide). The amount increased due to anticipated use and rising asphalt costs.
• 2026-0952: Approved award to AECOM for design of North Druid Hills Road Bridge replacement at CSX ($951,005, with $720,000 federal aid).
• 2026-1250: Approved sole source contract with Fairbanks Scales for truck scale maintenance and repair ($380,000, all districts).
• 2026-1320: Approved Recycle DeKalb Compost Beta Program (Compost Cowboys LLC, $325,000) for weekly food scrap collection and education for 500 unincorporated households over 40 weeks in 2027.
• 2026-1244: Authorized acceptance of GEFA loan ($17,887,000) for Shoal Creek Trunk Sewer Improvement Project at 4.03% during construction and 2.03% thereafter (20-year term).
• 2026-1183: Approved USGS five-year agreement (~$6 million) for water monitoring, with direction to explore reinstating a monitoring station on Intrenchment Creek. Committee granted flexibility to modify the contract if USGS agrees.
• 2026-1066: Held in audit; no action taken.

The meeting adjourned after the final vote.